Mental Health Awareness

Assess Your Mental Health

There are some useful tools that can help you get a picture of your own mental health.

General Practitioners commonly use an Anxiety and Depression Checklist known as K10.

• 'Beyond Blue' have an online version of this checklist.
• The Black Dog Institute has a free mental health assessment tool.

These tools are useful for gaining an insight into your own mental health but are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. Please visit your GP with any health concerns you may have.

Protect Your Mental Health

There are some common-sense steps that you can take that will contribute to your overall wellbeing.

• A healthy lifestyle is one of the most protective things you can do for your mental health. This includes a nutritious diet.
• Get enough sleep Research suggests that most of us do not have the amount of sleep we need and sleep contributes to our sense of wellbeing.
• Alcohol and Drugs are major depressants, so if you are feeling low, try avoiding or moderating your intake.
• Exercise has been proven to improve mood. Even just a 20 minute walk can help.
• Support is essential for those suffering with mental health issues. Speaking to a trusted friend or seeking professional help from a counsellor or therapist is probably the best thing that you can do for your mental health.

Resources

1 in 5 of us will experience symptoms of mental illness in any given year.* It is important to be informed about how you can help yourself and others.

*The Black Dog Institute https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/about/who-we-are/

The following sites are very useful both for information and to locate support for yourself and others.

• Beyond Blue Australia’s most well-known and visited mental health organisation, focused on supporting people affected by anxiety, depression and suicide.
• Head to Health Provided by the Australian Department of Health, Head to Health brings together apps, online programs, online forums, and phone services, as well as a range of digital information resources.
• The Black Dog Institute As the only medical research institute in Australia to investigate mental health across the lifespan, their aim is to create a mentally healthier world for everyone.
• RU OK? R U OK?'s vision is a world where we're all connected and are protected from suicide. Their mission is to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with people around them and support anyone struggling with life.

There are many other places where you can find help, starting with your GP. If it is an emergency please go to the emergency department or call 000. The Black Dog Institute has a list of helpful phone counselling services on their site.